Devotion:
Read Genesis 12:1-5.
This passage introduces the entire story of the Children of Israel by describing God’s call to Abraham and Abraham’s faithful response to that call. From this moment in time forward, God would deal most directly with Abraham’s descendants as His chosen people in order to bless all people.
Now read Matthew 1:1, 2, and 16. Why would Matthew begin his Gospel with a genealogy -- not exactly exciting reading? Matthew’s first audience was Jewish, and his desire and purpose in writing was to convince Jewish people to accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the promised Messiah. Jewish people of Jesus’ time viewed their genealogies or family trees as essential to their identities. They could trace their roots back to a particular tribe and then always back to Abraham, their patriarch. So it was essential that Matthew help his audience to see and understand that Jesus of Nazareth was one of them, a descendant of Abraham. And in doing this, Matthew shows that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah and of the family of David, the two attributes most often announced by the prophets in describing the coming Messiah. All followers of Christ can celebrate our adoption into Abraham’s family through our Lord.
Personal Worship Option:
Give thanks today for your family history, reflecting on the stories you have heard of your ancestors. Think about how your life was made better by some of them, perhaps even some whom you never knew. Celebrate that we are related to all who can trace their roots to Abraham.
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